Everyone has heard about acupuncture treatment for people, but did you know that dogs, cats and horses are also being successfully treated in Australia every day by qualified vets trained in acupuncture?
For over 3,000 years Chinese doctors have relied on acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbs to relieve people of chronic pains and disorders and to boost their immune systems naturally. The ancient discipline centres on Qi (pronounced “chee”) the energy of life. It is believed that disease is caused by blockages of this energy flow and that acupuncture frees the blockages.
Ever since people have been treated in this way, so too have animals, but it has only been in the last 30 years that acupuncture has been practiced by veterinarians in the West.
I had my first acupuncture treatment for a neck injury about five years ago and I must admit I was sceptical at first… but the results were amazing. Not only could I turn my neck once again but my whole body also felt energised by the stimulating treatment. As a result, I now book myself in for acupuncture at least twice a year - whenever I start to feel tension in my neck .the results are always outstanding. It made sense to me that animals also respond to this type of treatment - they feel pain just like us and we can therefore help them enjoy the benefits of pain relief.
There are literally hundreds of special points on the skin of an animal. Each one is between one and a half to three millimetres in diameter. Acupuncture involves the virtually painless insertion of tiny, hair-thin needles into these points. While it may unblock Qi, we know scientifically that this stimulates sensory receptors of pain, temperature and pressure and these receptors send impulses to the central nervous system and brain, which release endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killing hormones. It’s no wonder pets and people feel better!
In small animals, acupuncture is most commonly used for arthritis and back problems, skin conditions, bladder problems, asthma, paralysis, stroke, digestive complaints, eye and ear problems, as support for the immune system and for behavioural problems. Because acupuncture stimulates the body's own system of healing and no drugs or chemicals are used, it’s a good adjunct to conventional treatment or an alternative for long term problems.
The first acupuncture consultation will usually take 30-60 minutes to take a full history, treat the animal and discuss aspects of the case. Treatments vary depending on the method used to stimulate the acupuncture points. Generally, fine acupuncture needles are left in place for 10 to 20 minutes. Other methods include heating, injecting or laser stimulation of the points. ‘Hairy patients’ are generally treated one to two times per week for four to six weeks. Once the condition has resolved itself, only occasional treatments are needed, if any. When practised by a competent acupuncturist, this ancient treatment is one of the safest of all therapies.
Sydney veterinarian and president of the Veterinary Acupuncture Group, Dr Barbara Fougere says, “There are over 200 veterinarians certified by IVAS. This is the only recognised qualification in veterinary acupuncture. We recommend pet owners see a veterinarian rather than a human acupuncturist, because there are differences and conditions that only veterinarians can diagnose and treat.”
She explained further: “Animals do not mind the needles and do not normally need to be sedated or restrained. They calm down quickly as pain is relieved and feel-good hormones are released. It’s an ideal tonic for older pets”.
You can find a veterinary acupuncturist by going to www.ava.com.au